Vanity case



A. F. REILL-Y VANITY CASE Filed Nov. 5, 1930 Aug. 2, 1932.

2 Sheets-Sheet l 7 i y l INVENTOR A TTORNEY:

Aug 2, 1932. A. F. REILLY 1,369,933

VANITY CASE Filed Nov. 5. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 7 BY 2p I m iifla '2/ /6 m" ATTORNEIU' Patented Aug. 2, 1932 I UNITED "STATES PATENT: OFFICE ALFRED F. REILLY, OF ATTLEIBOBO, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB T EVAN S CASE COM- Pm, NORTH ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACH'E- SETTS VANITY CASE Application filed November 3, 1930. Serial No. 492,919.

The invention relates to powder dispensing devices, particularly of the type known as vanity cases which are adapted to be carried in a purse, hand bag, or the like.

An object of-the invention is to provide a rugged construction for a device of this character. Another object of the invention is to provide a powder dispenser construction which may be easily and rapidly assembled.

= Another object of the invention is to provide order to fill the chamber with powder, but

which is not liable to accidentally drop out of the box. Another object of the invention is to provide an extremely simple dispensing plate construction. Another object of themvention is to provide a dispensing plate spring of extremely simple construction. Another object of the invention is to provide a dispensing plate construction which may be ver cheaply manufactured. Other ob ects w1 be impart obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, all as willjbe exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the mechanical features of this invention,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a vanity case constructed according to the invention,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the vanity case with the lid in open position and the mirror contained in said lid swung outwardly,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the vanity case with the lid closed,

Figure 4c is a diametrical enlarged cross sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a plan view of the outer ring forming part of the bezel for the cover to the powder compartment,

Figure 6 is a plan view ofthe inner ring forming part of the bezel,

Figures 7 and 8 are cross sectional views taken respectively on the lines 7 .7 and 88 of Figure 4,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary diametrical cross sectional view on an enlarged scale of the complete cover for the powder compartment, and

Figure 10 is a fragmentary enlarged cross sectional view taken on the line 1010 of Figure 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar 2 parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 4, I provide an outer casing 10 which is generally cup shaped and has an inwardly extending annular flangell'. This casing may in some cases be spun from a single piece of stock, or it may be formed by soldering together a pair of struck shells, or it may be made in any other, suitable manner. The casing 10 constitutes the support for the entire dispenser, and it may be ornamented in any desired manner; it may by itself constitute the powder container, but in a preferred construction a separate inside powder container in the form of a cup 12 is provided, in order'to keep the powder close to the dispenser cover, and in order to prevent leakage of powder through holes 13, 13 (shown in Figure 4) provided in the periphery of the casing 10 for the reception of a bail or handle. 14. This bail or handle 14 is used in some cases and omitted in others, since a powder dispenser of this general type is advantageo'usly embodied in a number of different styles to suit the fancy of purchasers.

Referring now articularly to Figure 10, for the purpose 0? facilitating construction" of the article, in order to permit the use of standard functional parts, and to pro vide a good seat for the dispenser unit which constitutes the cover .to the powder compartment 15, or for any of these purposes, I provide a bezel 16 separate from the outer casing '10, and adapted to be securely interlocked with said outer casing by merely pressing it into position. This bezel 16 comprises preferably an outer ring 17 and an inner ring 18. The outer ring is shown separately in Figure 5 and consists of a cylindrical portion 19, an annular inclined portion 20, and an inwardly extending flange 21. The inner ring has a cylindrical portion 22, an inwardly extending flange 23, an outwardly extending seat 24 adapted to receive the lid to the entire unit, and an outwardly extending flange 25 above said seat 24, which flange is desirably rolled over in order to make a ti ht connection with the outer casing 10.

eferring now to Figures 4 and 6, on the bottom of the inner ring 18 are formed a plurality of metal tabs 26. The inner ring 18 fits within the outer ring 17, wlth the inwardly extending flange 23 of the inner ring seating upon the inwardly extendlng flange 21 of the outer ring, and the to of the cylindrical portion 19 abutting the ottom of the outwardly extending flange 2 5. The tabs 26 may then be turned over, and the two rings are then firmly held together. As best shown in Figure 2, at a ortion of the circumference of the inner ring 18, the outwardly extending flange 24 is cut away, and portions 27 are rolled over to form one element of a hinge. A hinge pin 28 passes through these rolled-over portions 27 and also through a similar rolled-over portion 29 provided by the lid 30 for the vanity case, the construction of which will be hereinafter described more in detail.

As illustrated in Figure 7, a pair of slots 31 are formed in the cylindrical portion 22 of the inner ring 18, and spring-pressed snaps 32, 32 project through these slots to resiliently hold the dispenser unit in place. Preferably these spring-pressed snaps 32 constltute bent portions on asemi-circular wire 33 which fitsin the space ,betweenthe outer and inner rings 17 and 18 and constitutes a spring to resiliently urge the portions 32 throug theslots 31. As is better shown in-Figure 10, another slot 34 is formed in the cylindrical portion 22, preferably opposite the rolled hinge portion 29 for the reception of a springpressed snap 35 provided by the lid 30.

The bezel 16 constituting the inner and outer rings 18 and 17, together with the lid 30 for the vanity case, is adapted to be inserted in an, outer casing member 10 of any desiredshape. Still referring to Figure 10,

. the inwardly extending flange 11 of the outer casing 10 has'an inside diameter allowing the outer ring 17 to fit therein with a close fit; a pluralit desirably three or more, of nicks 36 are ormed-in' the cylindrical wall 19 of the outer ring 17 said nicks forcing metal beyond the outside cylindrical surface of the cylindrical portion 19, and leaving shoulders at the top. The entire unit aforesaid may be readily pressed into the outer casing 10 and the metal forced outwardl by the nicks36 temporarily gives way to sue pressure, but once the flange 11 passes over the shoulders at the top of these nick portions, the metal expands againand the parts are securely locked together. As the bezel 16 is forced into position, it also is forced into the cup 12 which receives it, in case a cup is used.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 9, the powder compartment 37 is closed by a powder dispensing cover 38 which constitutes a removable unit that may be removed or replaced at will, but theparts whereof are normally held together. As best shown in Figure 4, the dispensing cover includes an' annular member 39 which may consist of a pair of rin s 40 and 41, the former or outer ring 40 having, as is better shown in Fig ures 8 and 9, a pair of downwardly extending hooks 42, 42 and being rolled over at thetop and the bottom to receivethe inner ring 41 which desirably is inclined downwardly toward the central circular hole 43. Asshown in Figure 2, the inner ring 41 has an inwardly extending hook 44 to permit the entire cover 38 to be readily lifted out of the bezel 16.

Referring again to Fi ure 4, the annular member 39 seats readily inside the bezel 16, resting against the flange 23 of the inner ring 18, and the rolled over edge of the outer ring 40 of said annular member 39 snaps into position below the spring-pressed snaps 32. The powder compartment 37 is eflectively and tightly sealed when the cover 38 is thus snapped into position. I

Closing the central hole 43 of the annular member 39 is a dispensing plate 45 formed of flat metal. Referring now to FiguresS and 9, this dispensing plate comprises a body portion 46 to seal the central hole 43, which body portion is held in position by sprin ing hooks 42, 42. Said spring means constitutes generally arcuate flexible portions 47, 47 provided on opposite sides of the central body portion 46 and separated therefrom by irregular slots 48, 48. Thus the generally arcuate flexible portions each comprises a pair of integrally joined arms integrally attached at 49 to the body portion 46. Desirably at the center of these arms are outwardly extending projections 50, 50 adapted to be received by the downwardly extending books 42, 42 so as to hold the dispensing plate 45 in position, .It will now be seen that the dispensing plate and its spring-and supportmg pro ectlons constitute a single member which may be pressed out of flat metal, and that the plate is resiliently held against the opening 43, and may be depressed for 9. limitedv distance. When the powder dispensing cover 38'is lifted out of the bezel 16 by means of the hook 44, the entire cover, including means supported by the downwardly exten I the annular member .39, the dispensing plate 45, and connecting parts, stay together as a unit. The dispensing plate 45 may, however, be removed from the annular member 39 by simply pressing upwardly upon one of the outwardly extending projections and sliding the plate sideways. Thus the powder dispensing cover 38 is to all intents and purposes a unit, so that the compartment 37 may be readily filled with powder without the ditficulty of handling a spring and a plate as well as a separate annular top piece,

and the parts may be readily manufactured and assembled with the greatest case. By reason of the considerable length of each of the four arms 47, as well as their arcuate shape, the plate 45 is very resiliently supported, and may be depressed a considerable distance below the plane of the bottom of the hole 43, but when released, snaps quickly back into position.

The lid 30 for the article is, as already stated, hinged at 29 to the bezel 16. Referring now particularly to Figure 4, it will be seen that when the lid 30 is in closed position, a considerable space 52 is left between the bottom of the lid 30 and the dispensing unit, particularly over the plate 45. This space 52 is for the reception of a powder pufi',not shown.

Still referring to Figure 4, the lid 30 includes a disc 53, and the lid 30 may be suitably ornamented on the top, such as by producing a design on the disc 53 by means of a die. Suitably fastened to the under side of-the disc 53, as by means of solder, is a ring 54 which is U-shaped in cross section, as is well shown in Figure 4. At one place, however, this ring 54 is extended to provide the hinge element already referred to, and at another place the ring 54 is so modified as to provide a hinge element 55 which holds, by means of a hinge pin 56 and corresponding hinge elements 57 (see Figure 2), a metal mirror 58. This metal mirror 58, when in closed position as shown in Figure 4, constitutes a closure for the space inside of the ring 54 and between said mirror and the disc cover 53. The mirror 58 is desirably provided with an upwardly extending snap portion 59 adapted to pass through a hole 60 in the ring 54 to hold said-mirror in closed position as shown in Figure '4,-and themirror 58 is also provided with a lip 61 so'that the compartment 62 between the mirrorand the disc 53 may be opened by simply inserting a finger nail under the lid 61. Thecoi'npartment 62 is provided in order that the vanity case may include rouge. Preferabl the rouge 63 is deposited on and firmly a; heres to a metal disc 64 which fits with a rather close fit inside of the ring 54. When the rouge is all used, the disc may be pried up by inserting a penknife at the side of the hinge 55 and a newdisc of rouge substituted.

If desired, aseparate pufi for therouge may be included in the space 62. As shown in Figure 10, the spring pressed snap 35 which holds the lid 30 normally closed constitutes a portion of a wire spring member 65 which fits'inside of the ring 54.

When'it is desired to fill the powder compartment 37 with powder, it is only necessary to lift up the powder dispensing cover 38. It should be noted that this may be done with very little effort, because this dispensing cover is held in position by the spring pressed lugs 32 and not by a tight fit between two parts. The powder compartment 15 having been filled, and the dispensing cover 38 replaced, powder may be caused to flow to the upper side of the disc 45 by merel depressing the said disc with a. powder pu Whether this action is pneumatic or entirely mechanical, I do not attempt to state, and it probably depends upon the speed with which the plate 45 is depressed, but at all events, just about the right amount of powder may be brought to the upper side of the disc 45 by gently rapping it with a powder puff. Should rouge be desired, it is always available in the lid of the vanity case, and the mirror 58, both sides of which are reflecting surfaces, is always available, whichever form of cosmetic is being used, being susceptible of being swung open to the position shown in Figure 2.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided by this ,invention an article in which the various objects hereinabove set forth, together with niany thoroughly practical advantages, are successfully achieved As various possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A powder dispenser comprising a ring, a plate having a pair of substantiall arcuate slots therein, means on the under si e of said ring and means on the plate coo crating therewith to hold the plate against t e under side of said ring, the arcuate slots leaving flexible portions connecting the body portion of said plate to said ring.

2. A dispensing plate for powder boxes and the like comprising a flat'pieceof metal,

a flexible arm connected to the portion of said piece. ojfme'tal. at two places, there adapted to fit underneath said ring, a pair tached to said arm for attachment j at said plate to the dispensing device. 3. A powder dispenser'cdmprisiiiga ring,l

holding'means provided by said ring, a plate of integral flexible arms formed out of said plate, and means provided by said arms and adapted to fit into said supportin means to sup ort said plate against the un er side of sai ring.

4. A dispensing plate for powder boxe's and the like comprising a flat piece of metal, flexible arms integrally formed with said piece of metal, an annular member through which powder is adapted to be dispensed, and attaching means for the attachment of said arms to said annular member.

5. A powder dispenser comprising a ring, a late, a slot in said plate to make a portion of it flexible, a projection on one side of sald slot, and means provided by said ring to hold said projection.

6. A powder dispenser comprising a ring, a plate, said plate having a pair of long slots to make it flexible, and means attached to the ring to hold the plate to the ring,

7. A powder dispenser comprising a r ng, a plate, a pair of lugs connected to said ring, and an integral spring portion formed on saidplate and connected to said lugs.

8. In a device of the class described, a powder box including a ring havin a pair of slots, an annular dispensing mem er, and spring-pressed means projecting through said slots to hold said annular dispensing member in position, but to allow it to be removed to fill the box with powder.

9. In a \de vice ofthe class described, a powder box including a ring, said ring having a slot, an annular dispensing member adapted to fit in said ring, and a wire with a pro ecting portion adapted to pass through said slots to hold said annular dispensing member resiliently in position.

10. A powder box construction compris ng an outer box, an inner removable dispensing device, a pairof rings forming a seat for said inner dispensing member, said pair of rings being interlocked together and leaving a s ace between them, and a wire spring 'sai space to projectmeans through slots in the inner rin of said pair whereby to hold said annular ispe'nsing member resiliently inposition. I

11. A powder box construction comprising an outer box, an inner removable dispensing device,'a pair of rings forming a seat for said inner dispensing member, said pair of rings being interlocked together and'leaving a space between them, and means said space to removably hold said dispensing device in position'. i

12. A powder box construction comprising a shell with an inturned flange, a pair of rings forming a seat fora central annular dispensing member, one of said rings having a portion overlapping the shell, and one of said rings having outwardly pressed portions adaptedtosnap in position under the inturned flange of said shelhwhereby the device may be assembled by pressing said pair of rings into position.

13. In a device as claimed in claim 12, the combination with the parts therein specified of flanges provided by one of said rings to interlock them.

14. In a device of the class described, an outside casing, an inner separate bezel ring comprising a cylindrical portion, and an inturned flange portion forming a seat, said cylindrical portion having a pair of slots therein, a cover element for a powder chamber adapted to be removably positioned in said bezel ring and adapted to fit on said .seat, and spring-pressed lugs projecting through said slots, adapted, when said cover is in position, to resiliently hold it there.

15. In a device of the class described, a. bezel for a dispensing cover comprising a pair of rings, locking means provided by one of said rings to lock them together, and separate means provided by each one of said rings to respectively interlock with the outer casing of a vanity case.

16. In a device of the class described, a plate, a ring having a u-shaped cross section attached to said plate, and binge elements provided by said ring, the whole forminga'lid for a vanity case being connected to said case by one of said hinge elements and having a mirror connected to it at the other hinge element.

17. In a device of the class described, an outer casing comprising a shell, an annular member forming an inturned flange to said shell but separate from it, a bezel for a powder dispensing unit seated in said flange, and a cup member attached to the outside of said bezel adapted to form the bottom of a powdercompartment with said bezel.

18. A powder dispenser including an annular member, a plate which is slotted to make it flexible, and attachment means provided by said plate and by said annular member respectively to hold said plate against said annular member, whereby said plate may be moved'away from the opening in the annular member and allowed to spring back against it.

box includin a powder compartment, an annular mem er forming part of said box and having a substantially internally cylindrical portion, a. ledge portion below said cylindrical portion merging with it to form a seat which is generally above the powder compartment, acoverfor the powder compartment adapted totit nicely in said cylindrical portion, (and a plurality of resilient members projecting through said cylindrical portion resiliently holding said cover in place.-

20. In a device of the class described, an outer casing having an inturned flange, .an

19. In a device of the class described, a

annular bezel, an outturned flange at the top of the bezel, and snaps constituting nicks in the bezel and just below the said outturned flange, the bezel being attached to the said inturned flange by the snaps and the outturned flange with the inturned flange between the snaps and the outturned flange.

21. In a device of the class described, an outer casing having an in-turned flange, an annular member, an out-turned flange at the top of the annular member, a hinge element on said annular member located in close proximity to said out-turned flange, a closure to cover the opening through said annular member attached thereto by means of said hinge element, and snaps constituting nicks in the annular member located below the said outturned flange, the annular member and therefore the closure being attached to the casing by the snaps and the said flanges, with the in-turned flange between the snaps and the out-turned flange.

22. In a device of the class described, a member constituting the top piece to a closure, a ring being U-shaped in cross-section attached to said member. a disc-shaped article secured in place by the member and the ring, a hinge element provided by said ring, a casing including a broad inwardly extending annular flange, a separate annular member seated in said flange and forming a rim for a compartment for toilet material, and a hinge element provided by said separate annular member cooperating with the firstnamed hingeelement for the attachment of the closure thereto.

23. In a device of the class described, a member constituting the top piece to a closure, a ring being U-shaped in cross-section attached to said member, a disc-shaped'ar ticle secured in place by the member and the ring, a hinge element provided by said ring, a casing including a broad inwardly extending annular flange, a separate annular mem-.

ber seated in said flange and forming a rim for a compartment for toilet material, nicks in said separate annular member, an outturned flange attached to said separateran nular member which is secured to the casing by means of the said out-turned flange and said nicks, and a hinge element provided by said separate annular member cooperating with the first-named hinge element for the attachment of the closure thereto.

r 24. In a device of the class described. a circular shallow metallic shell. a separate annular in-turned flange secured to the peripherv of said shell, an annular member inside outer casing comprising a shell, an annular member forming an in-turned flange to said shell but separate therefrom, a second annular member seated in said first annular member and constituting a rim for a toilet article containing compartment, and cupshaped means forming a bottom to said toilet article containing compartment and extending between said shell and said second annular member secured to one of said parts.

26. A vanity case including a pair of struck shells of generally similar shape, one of said shells havinga centrally disposed opening, a cover to said opening, an annular member secured to the shell having'the opening and located in said opening said annular member forming a rim for a toilet article compartment, said cover being hinged to said annular member, and means connecting said annular member to said struck shell with the opening comprising nicks in the annular member and cooperating flange means provided respectively by the annular member and the said struck shell.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification this 27th day of October, 1930.

ALFRED F. REILLY.

of said first-named annular flange constitut:

25. In a device of the class described, an 

